“A
bishop then must be…temperate…” (1 Timothy
3:2 NKJV)
The International Standard Version renders “temperate” as “stable.” That is, there is
a solid nature—a stability of soul—that is required in a pastor qualified to
lead the church. This keeps him from
being driven by his own passions or dominated by the pressures of popular
opinion.
His roots go deep; his anchor holds. The pastor is not subject to the prevailing
winds raging about him. He sets the
agenda based on Scripture, instead of letting others and their self-centered
whims set it for him.
The pastor is to be a thermostat and not a
thermometer! He sets the spiritual
temperature, rather than reflecting it.
Greek scholar, Kenneth Wuest, translates this word as, “calm.”
There is no sense of panic in the pastor. Zeal? Doubtless. Urgency? Of course. Panic? Never!
On the battlefield, the general must, “keep his head” and
direct his troops by remaining calm, even in the midst of chaos. Otherwise, the rout will be on!
The Greek word is, “nephalios,”
which is the opposite of intoxication.
While it is true that the pastor ought not to be a drunk (that is dealt
with later in this text), this means not to have clouded thinking, blurred
vision, garbled speech and uncertain gait, in terms of our leadership in the
church. That is stability of soul.
A
PRAYER
Blessed
Rock,
On You I
find sure footing. Deliver me from any
instability concerning my thoughts, emotions or decisions. I desire to lead Your flock on solid
ground. May we never be spiritual
tumbleweeds, blown about by the latest doctrinal fad or the pet passions of
carnal church members. We are weak—but,
You are strong. Infuse us with Your
stability!
In the
name of our Sure Foundation, Jesus,
Amen.
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